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Photo by Oglebay .
Pivoting in the
Pandemic
West Virg inia ’ s Hospitality Industry
CATHY BONNSTETTER
As COVID-19 rocked the world and shut down much of the country , 2020 proved to be a lonely and empty year — empty streets , empty stores , empty offices and empty restaurants and bars . Much of everyday life was canceled — holiday parties , weddings , retreats and nights out at local haunts . As a result , the hospitality industry suffered greatly .
In fact , the National Restaurant Association reported that six months into the pandemic , 100,000 restaurants across the country closed either permanently or long term , leaving the industry on track to lose $ 240 billion in sales by the end of 2020 . The hotel industry fared no better . By August 2020 , almost 65 % of hotels nationally remained at or below 50 % occupancy , which is below the break-even threshold , according to an American Hotel & Lodging Association ( AHLA ) report .
Although the pandemic took a record-breaking toll , some hospitality businesses in the Mountain State not only made it through the quarantine , they emerged bigger and better . For them , COVID-19 provided an opportunity to step up rather than a fatal fall .
As the nation awakens from its pandemic-induced sleep , the hospitality industry is once again springing to life . The National Restaurant Association reported in June 2021 that sales are just 3 % below
pre-pandemic levels , and the AHLA reported that , although the hotel industry will be the last to recover , by the last half of 2021 , business travel , which comprises the largest source of hotel revenue , will begin a slow return . In West Virginia , hospitality enterprises that weathered the storm and emerged with even stronger visions are wide open and ready to serve customers weary from takeout food and virtual meetings .
Hotel Morgan
The Hotel Morgan , a Wyndham property and fixture on downtown Morgantown ’ s High Street since 1925 , came full circle during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown . Major renovations returned the hotel to its 1920s-era splendor during
2020 . The Thrash Group , a real estate development company with properties across the U . S ., now owns Hotel Morgan .
“ The vision of our ownership to totally renovate and remodel a 100-year-old hotel during a pandemic shows the commitment to the community , West Virginia University ( WVU ) and guests ,” says General Manager Robert Mickey . “ Hotel Morgan was completely renovated and reimagined in 2020 .”
The hotel hosts 81 guest rooms and two suites , along with a 3,200-square-foot , two-story grand ballroom , conference and board room and fitness center . Renovating such a huge structure is a challenge any time , and 2020 had its own particular set of challenges . Mickey says that the reopening was slightly delayed due to
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE